BUSINESS SEGMENTS Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Crude oil and natural gas segment
Depreciation, depletion and amortization from continuing operations	$ 416,874	$ 303,258	$ 192,528
Oil and Gas Properties
Crude oil and natural gas segment
Depreciation, depletion and amortization from continuing operations	$ 413,100	$ 298,800	$ 188,500

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets or depleting assets to period that benefits from use of the assets in continuing operations.

No definition available.

Name:	pdce_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationFromContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	pdce_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration